www.montereycountynow.com FEBRUARY 19-25, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 831 Rory McIlroy leans forward and pauses, considering the 10th hole at Pebble Beach. “I love that you can see the entire beach going into Carmel there,” the PGA Tour veteran says. “I love that house at the back of the green, as well. It’s like the prettiest house in the world.” Those who follow the tour know the precision demanded of professional golfers. On television, fans can watch as players and caddies discuss the intricacies of a shot—distance to the hole, club selection, type of swing, wind direction, the characteristics of poa annua or other grasses. There is a computer-like quality, as if the game is a set of equations to be solved. Yet with more than 200 reporters representing some 80 different media outlets across the spectrum—print, television, radio, online—from around the world interested in more than numbers, conversations before and after a round reveal a very human game. Justin Rose took a week off after winning at Torrey Pines, returning to England to celebrate with his family. A reporter was curious what that homecoming might look like. “Do you throw yourself a party?” he wondered. “No,” Rose responded, shaking his head. “Basically got a smile out of my teenagers, and that was about it. That’s winning in the world of raising teenagers. Just any recognition is like, ‘Oh my god, that was pretty cool.’” Keith Mitchell, who was paired with NFL star Travis Kelce during the rounds on Thursday and Friday, fielded more questions about Kelce’s fiancée Taylor Swift than at any other point in his career. Mitchell wisely avoided the subject, observing only that there were a lot of Swifties following him around the course. But the invisible presence gave his first two days a different vibe. Collin Morikawa won the 2026 ProAm in thrilling fashion. Afterward he told CBS Sports’ Amanda Balionis—as well as fans crowded around the 18th green and those watching on television—that he and his wife are expecting. Earlier in the week, Chris Gotterup recalled playing Pebble Beach as a teenager and the emotion of the moment. “Are you a big crier?” came from the pool of reporters around him. “I don’t know what happens in those interviews,” Gotterup said. “Amanda or whoever is interviewing me gets me every time. My girlfriend was like, ‘You’ve never cried in the two years that we’ve dated—only when you’ve won.’” He suggested that during play a golfer suppresses outside noise. “And then all of a sudden when the putt drops, it’s just like your brain lets everything back in and it’s an overwhelming amount of stuff hitting you at the same time,” he said. At Pebble Beach Golf Links, the PGA Tour media team assembles two areas for interviews by reporters. One is in the Media Center, a more formal setting with a stage and tables. A moderator directs the questioning. The second is known as the flash interview area, located behind the 18th green, next to the CBS tent. If CBS’ Balionis wants to speak with a golfer, he is led to her first. Next the golfer is taken to satellite radio before being presented to those waiting in the flash interview tent. Reporters understand that much of the questioning will be redundant. Mitchell, for example, almost aced the iconic 7th hole, so asking him to recall the moment is rather obvious. So many of them work around the fringes. What did you say while watching the ball? for instance. “Travis said he’d tackle me if it went in, so maybe it was a good thing it didn’t,” Mitchell said with a grin. There was talk of Morikawa’s putter, borrowed from fellow pro Kurt Kitayama. The Pro-Am winner says he did nothing in Phoenix but hang out in his hotel room, “putting, putting, putting.” Morikawa acknowledged that his wife had run a marathon. “Yes, she is an absolute psychopath,” he added. “How many marathons have you run?” a reporter asked. “Zero, Doug. Thank you,” Morikawa responded. “Zero in the future, as well.” The Q&A from the flash area is broadcast to the media center for other reporters to access. Apart from photographers, many media members spent much of the tournament in either location, keeping up with the action on TV, perhaps trying to catch a glimpse of Taylor Swift. “What’s the vibe now that they’re gone?” Mitchell was asked on Saturday. He smiled: “Business as usual.” From Taylor to Teens Golfers at the Pro-Am speak with reporters about their game—and just about anything else. By Dave Faries “How many marathons have you run?” “Zero.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DAVE FARIES Journalists from Japan speak with Ryo Hisatsune after Friday’s round of the Pro-Am. In the background, other reporters wait in the flash interview tent, one of two areas set up for reporters by the PGA Tour. SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2026 MONTEREY CONFERENCE CENTER WITH MASTER OF CEREMONIES DAN GREEN, KSBW ACTION NEWS 8 ANCHOR Annual Awards Dinner Presented By montereychamber.com In CelebrationOf: 2025 Citizens of the Year Kelli Uldall and Steve Snider Carmel Magazine 2025 Ruth Vreeland Memorial Public Official of the Year Robin McCrae Community Human Services 2025 Robert C. Littlefield Award for Lifetime Achievement Keith Severson GraniteRock 2025 Community Impact Award Dan Baldwin Community Foundation for Monterey County Business of the Year Award To Be Announced During the Event GET TICKETS!
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